Lalu says Nitish 'orchestrated' Bihar political crisis: 'When end is near, even rational men take stupid decisions'

Even as Lalu Prasad Yadav recovered from the political bombshell dropped by Nitish Kumar, the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief came down heavily on his erstwhile ally for breaking up the Grand Alliance.

Blaming Nitish for orchestrating the entire political crisis, Lalu told the press that the Bihar chief minister was a crooked politician and an opportunist who had been plotting against his family for the past few months. Lalu insisted that the alleged scams against him were perfectly timed to suit Nitish's political ambitions. The RJD chief also accused Nitish of acting on the sly, and keeping RJD and Congress in the dark about his real motive. "Nitish colluded with BJP to malign my name. He will do anything to remain in power," Lalu said.

File image of Lalu Prasad Yadav. PTI

"I spoke to Nitish yesterday. He lied to me and asked me not to pay heed to media propaganda. He never even asked for Tejashwi's resignation." Lalu said.

Describing Nitish Kumar as 'Bhasmasur', Lalu said, "I made him the Chief Minister despite my party being the single biggest party in the state.

"I was not selfish," he said.

Interestingly, Lalu was more critical of Nitish than the BJP, blaming the former for staging the whole "drama" with the connivance of the BJP.

Lalu also took the opportunity to flex his muscle. "Lalu can't be shaken or destroyed by Modi, Amit Shah's cunning. And as for Nitish, we don't need him. We have the support of Mayawati ji and Akhilesh ji," Lalu said.

Lalu also prophesied the "end of Nitish Kumar" in the upcoming elections.

"We have the mandate to throw BJP and RSS out of Bihar and he joined hands with them. Vinash kale viprit buddhi (When end nears, even most rational men take stupid decisions)," Lalu said. "Bihar is a very politically aware state. People in every village and street are angry at what he did," Lalu said.

He also slammed his former ally by digging up some of his old statements against BJP. "Nitish said that he will turn into dust before he joins hands with BJP. What happened now? Saara dhong khatam (is the drama over?)," Lalu asked.

Lalu also said that he knew the truth behind Nitish's so-called clean image and he hinted that he knew where the bodies were buried.

Lalu next shifted the focus of his ire towards the BJP , who he claimed was playing a bigger game by trying to stomp out the Opposition.

He said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP chief Amit Shah were "jealous" of him. "They knew that my base is unshakable. I never gave Nitish Kumar any problems," he added.

Claiming that Modi and Shah tricked people by talking of acche din, Lalu vowed to keep reminding the nation of the BJP's lies.

The RJD leader, not one to mince words, also slammed the media for having a vendetta against his party.

"Many of you lot I took for good people but you are acting like contract killers hired by the BJP," Lalu told reporters. "Look at the US media, how they are fighting Trump. But the Indian media is busy fighting the Opposition," Lalu said.

He, however, said that it was Amit Shah and Modi's agenda that had forced media to buckle down and follow their narrative.

"Amit Shah is the super editor, he decides how news should be. He curates national media's agenda. It's not your (reporters) fault," Lalu said.

Lalu also heaped praised on his son Tejashwi, embroiled in a corruption case and at the heart of the current controversy.

"Tejashwi was a minor when the case happened. It is beyond comprehension that they can even drag in his name. The BJP was jealous of his popularity that is why they hatched this conspiracy," Lalu said.

The Central Bureau of Investigation, Enforcement Directorate and the Income Tax Department have filed cases of corruption against the family members of Lalu, including his wife Rabri Devi, his youngest son Tejashwi Yadav, who was Bihar deputy chief minister until Wednesday, and daughter Misa Bharti.